Never noticed a difference between oils...but...

[mrdctaylor]

I've been a long time BITOGer. I don't post a lot, but I read the forums on a weekly basis. I've owned my 2002 Tacoma since new and I've used all manner of synthetics in it. I've never discerned a difference in the way my engine runs on the different oils. I haven't expected to or attempted to. Last weekend I used some Magnatec (of the older syn blend variety) in it for the first time. I didn't think anything about it. But when I start the car it seems smoother/quieter. When I accelerate it seems smoother. It just sort of occurred to me that maybe the oil was the difference. Like I said, I've been doing this for 16 years on this same vehicle and this is the first time I've felt/heard a little difference. I wasn't expecting/looking for anything to be different, so I'm not sure this is just in my head. Granted, it isn't a huge difference by any means. But I swear it is there.

Has anyone else noticed something with Magnatec? Who knows. I'm just throwing it out there.

 

[Snagglefoot]

What weight did you chose, as was it different from before?

 

[JustN89]

There's been lots of good feedback regarding the syn-blend Magnatec, and a handful of excellent UOAs to back that up. Unfortunately, the newer full syn Magnatec doesn't seem to have as great of feedback.

 

[mrdctaylor]

That's a fair point--and one I considered. I have 10W30 in there now. My previous run was 5W30 Napa Synthetic. Same OEM filter. I've run 10W30 before, but normally run 5W30.

 

[mrdctaylor]

Originally Posted By: JustN89
There's been lots of good feedback regarding the syn-blend Magnatec, and a handful of excellent UOAs to back that up. Unfortunately, the newer full syn Magnatec doesn't seem to have as great of feedback.


That's a shame--any thoughts why?

 

[maxdustington]

Originally Posted By: JustN89
There's been lots of good feedback regarding the syn-blend Magnatec, and a handful of excellent UOAs to back that up. Unfortunately, the newer full syn Magnatec doesn't seem to have as great of feedback.

The blend was/is the #1 rec for Ecoboosts here.

 

[CharBaby]

I too have noticed this with Magnatec 5W30 as well as other 5W30s dino or syn. But, I can honestly say that, not with all 5W30s. What I can say is that, my particular vehicle('15 Altima) doesn't seem to like 5W20 and maybe this is why there is no 5W20 listed in my owner's manual. However there is listed in the OM, 0W20 syn and dino or syn 5W30/10W30.

The first I noticed this extra quietness/smoothness was with a store brand(Sears Spectrum dino) 5W30 in a Lexus. Then, I noticed it with Castrol Start-up 5W30. I also like QS Defy HM 5W30 and QSGB 5W30. However, QSUD 5W30 is good but, doesn't offer my engines that extra quietness/smoothness. So, there are some oils that do and some that don't.

OTOH, I have used oils that did in fact cause the engine to actually be louder(more audible) than other oils. Mobil 1 5W30 is one of them as are some brands(not all) of the 5W20s.

 

[goodtimes]

I always hear the engine running better after an oil change at my 5k interval. Any oil, same oil, any car, with a quiet exhaust. That's why I won't change from my interval. The brain interpreting signals from the ears has no equal in man made devices. The brain is an amazing thing, and even more we can bring back the memory of the sound any time we want. Amazing, and also one reason I am a religious man. Doctors still use a stethoscope to listen to your heart for a reason. No equal to that.

The Magnatec is an oil I was considering. One question is they have this scratch sticker which is supposed to show how much better it is. Well Edge doesn't have it, so what is to be believed?

 

[JustN89]

Originally Posted By: mrdctaylor
Originally Posted By: JustN89
There's been lots of good feedback regarding the syn-blend Magnatec, and a handful of excellent UOAs to back that up. Unfortunately, the newer full syn Magnatec doesn't seem to have as great of feedback.


That's a shame--any thoughts why?

Wish I knew. I'm sure it's still a quality oil, but the blend was FOTM around here for a while and especially popular amongst Ecoboost owners. Relish your old stock while you can!

 

[mrdctaylor]

I picked it up at an AZ clearance a couple of years ago for $2/quart. I only have 6 more quarts, so one more oil change on my Tacoma. Oh well. I have ~ 80 quarts of other oils to use too.

 

[BrocLuno]

Oils do act different and some engines are capable of showing an auditory difference. I always choose the quieter oils when I come across one that works that way.

I'd suggest trying a Chevron/Havoline oil next time. They have been consistently quieter for me over most run of the mill oils.

 

[mrdctaylor]

Originally Posted By: BrocLuno
Oils do act different and some engines are capable of showing an auditory difference. I always choose the quieter oils when I come across one that works that way.

I'd suggest trying a Chevron/Havoline oil next time. They have been consistently quieter for me over most run of the mill oils.


Nice. I have several 5 quart jugs of Havoline Pro DS that I got for $10 each at an O'Reilly clearance a while back.

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: goodtimes
I always hear the engine running better after an oil change at my 5k interval. Any oil, same oil, any car, with a quiet exhaust. That's why I won't change from my interval. The brain interpreting signals from the ears has no equal in man made devices. The brain is an amazing thing, and even more we can bring back the memory of the sound any time we want. Amazing, and also one reason I am a religious man. Doctors still use a stethoscope to listen to your heart for a reason. No equal to that.


However, the same has happened in the other direction. I have changed oil & filter(not speaking of startup rattle) only to hear my engine being more audible during driving, compared to the oil that I drained out with 5K-7K miles on it.

 

[TheLawnRanger]

My Colorado is quieter now that I use FS 5w30 Magnatec. I will continue to use it. However, quieter doesn't necessarily mean better protection.

 

[ad244]

I have a 2004 Tacoma with the V6 as well and I have a similar experience. I got some Pennzoil 0w-40 which im running right now and it made a surprising difference. When the engine is idling I can hear the fans from my LED headlight bulbs which make more noise then the engine at full operating temperature. I'm not trying to push the intervals so ill probably change it out at 8,000 miles.

I've always been a 5w30 Mobil 1 or whatever is cheapest synthetic kind of guy but I may make this a permanent thing. Only thing is that my rear main seal has been weeping a couple drops.

 

[mrdctaylor]

I had a small leak at the back of my engine that I thought was a rear main seal. It turned out to be the cam plug(s) according to my mechanic.

 

[oil_film_movies]

Castrol says their Magnatec is quieter. It's unique as oil makers don't usually talk about decibel level differences.

 

[littleant]

Yes but why are some oils quieter. I have read on bitog that it could be the boron. Something must be causing one oil to sound better in an engine then another. Some say Mobil 1 5w30 is louder then QSUD 5W30. Some say it's the other way around for them.

 

[ad244]

Originally Posted By: mrdctaylor
I had a small leak at the back of my engine that I thought was a rear main seal. It turned out to be the cam plug(s) according to my mechanic.


My valve cover gaskets need to be changed out anyways so I guess its time to re seal those as well.

 

[ka9mnx]

Originally Posted By: ad244
Originally Posted By: mrdctaylor
I had a small leak at the back of my engine that I thought was a rear main seal. It turned out to be the cam plug(s) according to my mechanic.


My valve cover gaskets need to be changed out anyways so I guess its time to re seal those as well.



I just replaced the valve cover gaskets in my 3.4l 4Runner (245,xxx miles). Seems the 3.4l needs this done about every 100k miles. Carfax notes mine was done around 100,xxx miles.

The cam plug seals is not hard and it's part of the valve cover gasket job (if your mechanic is familiar with this engine). But, it does not come with the VC gasket set. You have to order them (2) separate. Be sure you (your mechanic) replace the spark plug tube seals also (comes with the VC kit) AND the intake runner gaskets (order separate and comes with the 2 required. A lot of YouTuber's say they are reusable and to some extent they are. I don't know how many times my intake runners were off (recommended for spark plug replacement on left side but not required) but they were leaking vacuum something terrible.

I ordered all my stuff from Amazon (Fel-Pro, my go-to gaskets).